The Pilgrim's Progress - Chapter 15 (The Delightful Mountains)

Reagan's Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1986

President Ronald Reagan was a master communicator. In his 1986 Thanksgiving Proclamation, he reminded Americans of the importance of recognizing God's hand on the founding of our nation and of "offering thanksgiving" to Him. In making these two points, Reagan often referenced our first president, George Washington, who prayed to God, recognized His hand in the colonies' success in the Revolutionary War, and proclaimed days of thanksgiving so the troops and, later, the citizens could thank God for his many blessings. Reagan also referred to "America the Beautiful," which is both a patriotic song and a prayer for God's blessing upon this land. He concludes by encouraging all Americans to pray and show God gratitude on Thanksgiving Day. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999384/support]

Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1863

Beloved President Abraham Lincoln guided the United States through the nightmare that was the Civil War. Even as brother fought against brother, Lincoln invited the divided nation to set apart a Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer. Today we are again divided. As we set aside a day to celebrate Thanksgiving, let us listen to Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1863. Then, let us learn how Lincoln’s proclamation established the national Thanksgiving holiday, how it encourages us to recognize our blessings and acknowledge the Source of those blessings, how it exhorts us to pray for our nation, how it has many similarities to George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789, how it calls the nation to unity, and how it applies to our own lives. Don't miss out on Lincoln's words of wisdom! Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999384/support]

The Constitution Part 5 - Squabbling In The Constitutional Convention

The Constitutional Convention was one of the pivotal moments in U.S. history, and it nearly crashed and burned. Yet, Benjamin Franklin’s speech pushed the quarreling delegates to stop focusing on that which was contentious and served their own interests and to start focusing on what would be best for the nation as a whole. His call for prayer reminded them that even though they were intelligent and insightful, if they proceeded without God’s guidance and succor, their efforts would be in vain. After a 4th of July timeout for an attitude adjustment, the delegates resumed their debates. This time, a workable compromise was found. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999384/support]

The Pilgrim's Progress - Chapter 15 (The Delightful Mountains)

Christian and Hopeful arrive at the Delightful Mountains, a place of refreshment and teaching. Christian asks the shepherds there some questions and receives cryptic answers. In turn, the shepherds have some questions for the pilgrims and then offer them some hospitality. The next morning the shepherds show them Hill Error, Hill Caution, and the by-way to hell and also let them look through their perspective lens. They then send the pilgrims on their way with a map and some helpful advice. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999384/support]

The Constitution Part 4 - Acknowledging God In The State Constitutions

In this episode we will be continuing our series on the United States Constitution. While God is not mentioned directly in the Constitution, His fingerprints are all over it. While God or worshipping God is discussed in all fifty state constitutions, we are going to focus on the governing documents of the original thirteen states that existed when the U.S. Constitution was created. If a state’s foundational governing document mentions worshipping God or being thankful to God, then it was a reflection of the culture and the priorities of the people in that state. If it wasn’t important to them, then they wouldn’t be putting it in their constitution. So, if God was important to the people in all thirteen states, then He was important to the people in the entire nation and thus was reflected in the U.S. Constitution, even if it wasn’t blatant.  Listen up to find out more! Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999384/support]